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| ▲ This photo of TEEN TOP’s Niel is provided by EL&D Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Niel of TEEN TOP, who has carried the weighty role of main vocalist for 15 years, has returned as a solo artist with a new mini-album, “SHE.”
“I just want to be happy now,” Niel said during a recent interview in Gangnam, Seoul.
Debuting in 2010, Niel rose to prominence with hits like “No More Perfume on You” and “Rocking.” The success brought grueling schedules — sometimes only five hours of sleep a week.
Now, as he marks 15 years in the industry, he has launched his own label, EL&D Entertainment, and taken full creative control of his new album.
“I started working at such a young age and lived intensely,” he said. “The era of ‘No More Perfume on You’ was both the happiest and most exhausting. I wasn’t sure how long the love from fans would last, and the workload was overwhelming.”
He recalled breaking down in tears once, saying he just wanted to sing and not appear on variety shows. “As main vocalist, I felt a lot of pressure,” he added.
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| ▲ This photo of TEEN TOP’s Niel is provided by EL&D Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
For his comeback, Niel embraced a more sensual and emotionally raw image, portraying a “wounded man wandering in search of meaning.”
“If TEEN TOP’s music was mischievous and playful, I wanted to show a more sultry and sexy side,” he said with a laugh. “I think I look sexier when I’m tired.”
While he used to be preoccupied with rankings and fan turnout, Niel now focuses on his own happiness. “If I’m happy, the people watching me will be, too,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he has no regrets. “Singing and dancing is all I know. If I could go back, I’d still do TEEN TOP. Those were my happiest days.”
The new album contains six emotional tracks rooted in neo-soul and groove pop, including “SHE,” “Whatever Love Means,” “If You're the Ocean,” and “What’s the Excuse for Love?”
“I wanted to show a different side of myself with this album — no face close-ups in the music video, just pure emotion,” he explained.
Niel also revealed a dream of reuniting with his TEEN TOP bandmates under one roof. “I can’t offer big signing bonuses,” he joked, “but I’ll give them a fair share.”
He added, “The members are like family now. We’ve fought a lot, but we’ve stuck together. If the company grows, I’d love to nurture junior artists too.”
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